Alcohol is the most commonly used substance in the United States. Because of this, many people who use alcohol or are dependent on it also take prescription drugs, such as Viagra. However, some prescriptions are not safe to mix with alcohol, as the side effects of combining the two substances can be dangerous or have adverse effects. Understanding which medications a person is taking, the side effects and risks of the drugs, and whether they can be mixed with alcohol are all key to avoiding unnecessary adverse effects and recognizing if and when a person needs treatment for substance misuse. To learn about the dangers of using alcohol and Viagra, contact the alcohol addiction treatment program at Vertava Health by calling 844.470.0410.
What Is Viagra?
Viagra, also known by the generic name sildenafil citrate, is a prescription most commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Another brand name for this drug is Revatio. The drug was initially designed to treat hypertension and angina pectoris, or chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart). Today, it is still sometimes used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, also known as high blood pressure in the lungs.
Viagra is a blue, diamond-shaped pill that relaxes muscles in the walls of blood vessels in some regions of the body. In this way, Viagra works to help men with penile dysfunction improve their erectile response when they are already stimulated. If the man is not already stimulated, Viagra will not be effective as it is not a stimulant.
Viagra works by stopping the breakdown of a chemical messenger known as cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which dilates arteries, so an erection can continue.
Side Effects of Viagra
The most common side effects of people who use Viagra include headaches, nasal congestion, sensitivity to light, and indigestion. A few rare cases experienced vision loss. However, this mostly happened with people who had specific conditions, including hypertension, heart conditions, diabetes, high cholesterol, or existing vision issues.
In addition to these, Viagra can cause certain conditions and side effects that may render it problematic to mix with alcohol.
Side effects of mixing Viagra and alcohol may include:
- Priapism, or a painful, long-term erection
- Sudden hearing loss
- Sudden vision loss
- Increased intraocular pressure (pressure on the fluid inside the eye)
- Ventricular arrhythmias
It is also possible to overdose on Viagra. Overdose symptoms include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, optic nerve swelling, and muscle breakdown.
Side Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means it slows certain body functions and brain activity. The way alcohol affects each person will depend on a few different factors, including how much alcohol is consumed and the timeline in which it is used, how much a person has eaten, and the weight, height, and body fat percentage of a person.
Alcohol works to produce feelings of calm and relaxation, as well as euphoria. When a person drinks, they tend to feel relaxed, happy, and lose their inhibitions.
Short-term side effects and signs of intoxication from alcohol include:
- Altered senses and perceptions
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Lack of coordination
- Loss of senses
- Memory loss or changes
- Vomiting
- Walking unsteadily
Long-term and chronic use of alcohol can lead to a number of other side effects, including psychological addiction, physical dependence, tolerance, and overdose (alcohol poisoning). A person who uses alcohol frequently and over a long period may also experience a number of health consequences, which may include effects to the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, and increased risk of several types of cancer. Alcohol use, in general, also lowers the function of the immune system decreases a person’s overall wellness.
When used in moderation, alcohol can have far less damaging effects, but the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that drinking too much, whether during single-time use or over time, can have drastic impacts on a person’s health.
Is It Safe to Mix Alcohol and Viagra?
It may be safe to mix alcohol and Viagra when done in moderation. In other words, a person may be able to take Viagra as prescribed and drink moderately, or less than three drinks in a single day for men, less than two for women, and no more than one drink per hour on average. Mixing alcohol and Viagra is not inherently dangerous in terms of immediate health risks.
However, interactions between the two drugs and the effects each have on the body should be considered when combining alcohol and Viagra. First, even when drinking in moderation, which is deemed to be safe, alcohol can worsen the side effects of Viagra.
Secondly, alcohol can actually render this ED drug useless. Viagra is typically used to treat erectile dysfunction. When used recreationally, the drug is also used to prompt long-term erections. However, alcohol works to slow certain functions within the body, including blood flow, which can undermine the effects of Viagra.
Long-Term Dangers of Mixing Alcohol With Viagra
Long-term dangers of mixing alcohol with Viagra may include:
- Inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis) — Long-term use of alcohol in some people is linked to inflammation of the prostate gland. This condition can also be linked to erectile dysfunction. In other words, mixing alcohol and Viagra, especially repeatedly and over a long period of time, can increase a person’s chances of developing this condition.
- Effects on testosterone levels — Testosterone is the hormone in men primarily responsible for male sexuality, while estrogen is mainly responsible for that of women. Chronic alcohol use (alcoholism) can lead to a decrease in testosterone production and an increase in estrogen production, resulting in the opposite effect of what Viagra is attempting to accomplish.
- Worsening of each drug’s side effects — While the majority of side effects experienced by those who use Viagra are mild in severity, drinking while taking Viagra can worsen the drug’s side effects. For example, if a person drinks heavily while on Viagra, they may experience a quick drop in blood pressure, extreme dizziness, or rapidly blurred vision.
A person who struggles with alcohol use or alcoholism should probably not drink while taking Viagra, though this may be easier said than done.
Addiction, a mental reliance on a substance such as alcohol, and physical dependence can make it hard for a person to stop drinking once they start. Addiction aligns a person’s thinking with alcohol consumption, so a person is unable to stop drinking once they start, even if they know they shouldn’t continue. Physical dependence causes a person to experience uncomfortable, at times life-threatening, withdrawal symptoms, so they continue drinking.
People thinking of taking Viagra while drinking should consult their doctor first, and anyone with a substance use issue should seek treatment options before trying new medications.
Find Treatment at Vertava Health
People in need of treatment for alcohol addiction or dependence should consider inpatient treatment. Alcohol dependence is all-consuming, and withdrawal from alcohol is challenging and even dangerous to manage on one’s own. Medically supervised detoxification programs within inpatient rehab centers allow a person to seek the care they need to detox safely, so they can begin formal addiction treatment.
Medications within inpatient rehab programs are monitored and administered by staff to ensure a person does not misuse their medicine. Inpatient treatment programs provide individuals with all the tools and treatments necessary to overcome addiction and dependence, such as counseling, behavioral therapies, coping skills, relapse prevention and stress management techniques, and aftercare planning. To learn more about treatment options for alcohol use, addiction, and dependence, call Vertava Health at 844.470.0410 to speak with one of our addiction specialists today.
